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Post by mudgrip4 on Apr 18, 2004 12:30:21 GMT 11
Noted with interest the comments re torsion bar adjustment. On my 88 2.8td swb I have already lifted the front 1 inch - slightly harder ride and needed to have realignment, but regained softness after fitting mudgrips. Looking now at 35ml shackle extension for rear and corresponding raise for front. Doubtful about offroad front suspension quality with this amount extra adjusted from torsion bars. What is the deal with calmini adjustment here - does anyone know what it is, how it works, or any other ideas for (not too expensive) frontal lift which keeps ride quality as well. Would appreciate any thoughts here - Mike A.
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Post by Harry on Apr 18, 2004 19:43:06 GMT 11
Instead of a shackle lift I'm looking at cutting off the top shackle mount and replacing it with an in line one and welding the crosswise one below it.This should give the rear a 1" lift but more importantly take the twist out of the rear end of the spring packs and increase the life expectancy of the shackle bushes.I've just returned a set of nolathane bushes [guaranteed 2 yrs or 40000ks]to the shop stuffed at 6months 5000ks.They don't seem to be able to handle the torsional stresses of 4 w driving.Will replace them with rubber ones.
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wayne
Isuzu Baby
Love mods
Posts: 47
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Post by wayne on Apr 19, 2004 7:05:41 GMT 11
25mm lift at the front is very little you probably only removed the sag from when it was new. If you lift it 50-75mm you would need to look at doing a balljoint flip to regain lost wheel travel. I wouldn't waste my time with calmini. The balljoint flip cost me 8-8mm bolts, way cheaper than buying calmini for the same results.
35mm increase in shackle length will give you about 15mm lift, go for 50mm.
Cutting of the shackle mounts and welding in new ones will require certification.
W.
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Post by mudgrip4 on Apr 19, 2004 17:35:44 GMT 11
Thanks guys - cuttiing the upper shackle mount would definitely need certification - about $240NZ. Like the idea of flipping ball joint - is this legal? - certification needed? what is the effect on road handling and steering? - can the inverted joint still take heavy offroad pressures or would it be positionally weakened? How did you find yours Wayne?. Am actually planning a 70ml rear shackle lift, giving about 35ml gain. Will chat with my diesel garage tomorrow re ball joint flip - appreciate any more info you may have. - thanks - Mike A.
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wayne
Isuzu Baby
Love mods
Posts: 47
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Post by wayne on Apr 20, 2004 7:54:35 GMT 11
The ball joint isn't inverted. Ex factory it is bolted to the top of the upper A-arm. You separate the ball joint, unbolt it then re bolt it to the underside of the A-arm. You are still using basically the same mounting points and it's the lower A-arm that is load bearing so you don't have to worry about weakening things.
With wheel alignment and a few extra shims the road handling is normal.
My interpretation of the WOF/certification rules is that a mod has to be inspected i.e. at wof, if the inspector isn't entirely happy they can refer the mod on to a certification inspection. My balljoint flip has been through wof repeatedly and they have never insisted on certification.
My insurance insists all mods be warrantable. No probs.
W.
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Post by hotbodfly on Jun 4, 2004 1:38:21 GMT 11
can anyone share with me what's the mudgrips?
and now it can soften the ride (with torsion bars being loaded)?
Thanks, s.6.
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Post by mudgrip4 on Jun 4, 2004 14:55:16 GMT 11
If I've understood your question right hotbod_fly, you appear to be referring to mudgrip tread tyres mentioned in the first post of this thread.
I have raised the front of my Isuzu 25ml by adjusting the torsion bars. I noticed it was a bit harder riding due to less suspension travel. I then changed from flatter riding all terrain tyres (A/T's) to taller mud terrain tyres (M/T's) - in this case Hankook RT01's. The taller mudgrip tyres have a softer more bouncy feel and as a result I didn't notice so much the loss of suspension from the earlier torsion bar adjustment. Hope this answers your question - Mike A.
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Post by hotbodfly on Jun 4, 2004 17:50:12 GMT 11
thx mudgrip4..
am now on 31x10.5" Yokohama Geolander A/T,
and had loaded my torsion bars quite-a-bit....
am contemplating on getting a set 33"x12.5" GT M/T tyres....but does that really help in making up for the ride comfort (by getting a taller mudgrips)?
cheers,
s.6.
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Post by mudgrip4 on Jun 4, 2004 21:22:28 GMT 11
I don't know Yokohama mudgrips at all. Hankook muds proved softer in ride than A/T's for my vehicle, but I can't comment with any experience on 33's. I would think they also will be softer, but better get some other drivers' thoughts here. Many will have fitted 33's and have torsion bars wound up and will give you a clearer picture than I can. - Mike A.
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Post by hotbodfly on Jun 4, 2004 21:49:16 GMT 11
cool... thks!  |
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Post by Witchdoctor on Sept 6, 2004 18:57:34 GMT 11
Just did the ball joint flip, took about 1.5hours including a wheel alignment. Measurement whent from 700mm to 740mm. Now do something with the rear.
Dave
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Garth
Isuzu Senior
1989 Bighorn Irmsher R LWB
Posts: 164
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Post by Garth on Jan 9, 2005 20:11:12 GMT 11
how much is involved in doing the wheel alignment after a ball joint flip. I have done the ball joint and now got a nice angle on the front wheels, can this be adjusted out easily with a standard alignment or does they upper swing arm need to be spaced out further. will have to get it done before I wear out the edge of my tyres too much. Cheers
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Post by justin on Jan 9, 2005 21:30:41 GMT 11
Standard alignment adjustment as far as I know, But tomorrow will tell. J
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Post by James W on Jan 10, 2005 7:29:29 GMT 11
They will have to put shims in where they normally wouldn't... or extra ones. May add a little time and a little cost extra from standard set aligment price, but of the order of $20 at the most.
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Post by justin on Jan 10, 2005 9:29:45 GMT 11
Just had the alignment done, as James said they can put extra shims in, but it depends how far out it goes with the modification. The guy said he could get away without it on mine and if they can, they will as the shims have a habit of moving when you crash about off road. Anyway $40 all up and she drive straight as now.  |
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Post by Pissy on Jan 10, 2005 15:41:08 GMT 11
Sorry to ask a potential stupid question (am prone too), but does the ball joint flip add height to the overall suspension? When should you do the flip, with a 2” suspension lift?
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Post by justin on Jan 10, 2005 16:24:18 GMT 11
No real height gain on mine from the flip, (10mm), but it improves the drop range of the front wheel, (again not by much!), and it allows the alignment to be corrected properly after the T/bars have been tweaked. Also trimming the bump stops allows greater articulation just be careful of tire rub when using non standard rubber. I have a 1.5" lift and mine was on the limits of alignment before the flip. If you check out the link from Pete it will explain the differences: www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/trooper/suspension_travel/Trooper_front_suspension.html J |
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Garth
Isuzu Senior
1989 Bighorn Irmsher R LWB
Posts: 164
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Post by Garth on Jan 11, 2005 20:01:51 GMT 11
Another Query, When I did the flip I noticed there is a bit of play starting on the front right upper swing arm bushing, where it goes onto the body. Has anyone replaced this bushing or is it a whole arm replacement like most vehicles I have seen? need to get onto it before I crash over too many more rocks and wreck it completely
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Post by Pissy on Jan 12, 2005 10:46:21 GMT 11
Do you really need to add a spacer to the ball joint when doing a ball joint flip and should I do/need a wheel alignment after the Ball joint flip?  |
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Post by justin on Jan 12, 2005 10:57:53 GMT 11
I didn't have a spacer on mine, and if you do use one you will more than likely need to buy longer bolts to refit a 10mm spacer. You should have the alignment done though because it will be out, and you will create uneven wear on the outside of your front tires. J
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